Open House held to celebrate Michelle’s Bakery’s new space

Michelle Braswell interacts with friends, family and fans of her longtime Redlands business, “Michelle’s Bakery,” Wednesday at an Open House to celebrate its newly exapnded storefront. (By Kristina Hernandez, Staff)

New shelving and the latest techonology were added to Michelle's Bakery to offer its customers a more enjoyable experience. The bakery hopes to become a 24/7 operation in the near future.

REDLANDS >> Michelle Braswell was all smiles Wednesday as she walked around her longtime Redlands business, Michelle’s Bakery, during an open house to celebrate its newly remodeled storefront.

The event was bittersweet for the longtime baker, as the project had been two years in the making and was first started by her late husband, she said.

“So here we are, and it’s amazing,” Braswell said in between giving a hug or a reassuring handshake to the dozens who turned out for an open house hosted by the bakery. “It’s wonderful to see the business grow. It’s growing because we have such incredible customers.”

New flooring, shelving, a larger refrigerator, space and the latest technology were added to the facility to better serve customers.

A computerized database will not only help the business keep track of orders, but will also provide those looking for a cake a quicker and easier way to check out selections directly in store.

Additional shelving and storage space were added to the new 500-square foot facility to offer more goodies to customers, as well.

“We’re utilizing technology to help increase our customer experience, accuracy and grow the business. In the paper age we were in there was no way to increase the business,” said the store’s marketing director Diana Hill.

The store’s goal, Hill continued, is to transform the bakery into a 24/7 operation where orders can be placed online and shipped to anywhere in the country, and provide better access to goodies available at the store at 615 Tennessee St., Redlands.

Michelle’s was established in 1985 and began making cakes and desserts for local restaurants before Braswell opened her first store in Yucaipa.

Ten years ago, she brought the business to Redlands where her cakes and other goods became a hit. But many still go back for her original — the Raspberry Victorian, the store’s signature cake.

At Wednesday’s open house, Braswell was the recipient of several awards of recognition from local dignitaries, as well as words of support from the dozens who attended the event.

“They really like (the new space),” Braswell said. “It definitely has more room.”

Michelle’s is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. They are closed Sundays and Mondays.